These 3 1979 One-Hit Wonders Took Over the Radio Before Vanishing Forever

The final year of the 1970s was a crossroads in music. Rock bands were still clinging to the charts, disco was burning bright but beginning to fade, and new wave was preparing to crash into the next decade. In the middle of all this shifting sound and style, 1979 produced a handful of songs that didn’t just capture a moment—they owned it.

These tracks came from artists who, for a brief and shining time, ruled the airwaves before slipping quietly out of sight. They weren’t legends in the making or part of long-standing bands; they were the lightning bolts of pop culture—here, gone, and unforgettable.

What makes these songs special is how they froze that in-between year in sound. They topped the charts, dominated radios, and soundtracked millions of lives before their creators disappeared into music history. Let’s take a look at three of 1979’s one-hit wonders that briefly became the biggest songs in the world.

“Ring My Bell” – Anita Ward (Songs of Love)

In a year when disco was gasping its last glittery breaths, Anita Ward arrived with a song that felt like a farewell party for the entire genre. “Ring My Bell” shimmered with bright synths, pulsing rhythms, and Ward’s sweet yet commanding vocals, turning dance floors into neon-lit celebrations. It wasn’t just another disco tune—it was a slice of joyful escapism at a time when the musical landscape was about to shift forever.

What began as an innocent tune about communication was quickly read with a playful wink, its title giving way to endless interpretations. Still, Ward’s charm kept it from ever feeling too cheeky, and her delivery made it a song both parents and clubgoers could enjoy. The infectious beat made it impossible not to move, even for those ready to trade disco for punk or new wave.

“Ring My Bell” became Ward’s golden ticket to chart-topping fame, soaring to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But as quickly as she arrived, she faded just as fast, leaving behind a track that would outlive the disco craze itself. Today, it remains one of the final sparkling gems of the disco era—a one-hit wonder that refuses to be forgotten.

“My Sharona” – The Knack (Get the Knack)

When The Knack burst onto the scene, they brought back something rock had been missing for a while—raw, youthful obsession. “My Sharona” hit like a jolt of electricity, blending punk’s bite with power pop’s bounce. Doug Fieger’s lust-driven vocals and Berton Averre’s sharp guitar riff created one of rock’s most recognizable hooks, perfectly timed for a generation that needed a new anthem to dance, drive, and daydream to.

Inspired by a real-life crush, “My Sharona” didn’t try to be mysterious—it was sweaty, honest, and completely unapologetic. The song’s relentless rhythm captured the impulsive thrill of attraction, the kind that burns bright and fast. It was everything radio wanted at the dawn of the new decade: catchy, a little dangerous, and undeniably fun.

The single rocketed to the top of the charts and stayed there for six straight weeks, turning The Knack into overnight stars. But lightning rarely strikes twice. As quickly as their fame flared, it dimmed, leaving “My Sharona” as their eternal calling card. Decades later, it still pops up everywhere—from movie soundtracks to “Weird Al” parodies—proof that some crushes never fade.

“Funkytown” – Lipps Inc. (Mouth to Mouth)

If ever there were a song that sounded like motion itself, it’s “Funkytown.” With its glossy synths and robotic vocals, Lipps Inc.’s disco anthem pulsed with an irresistible desire to move—physically, emotionally, and even geographically. It wasn’t just about finding a new groove; it was about chasing something better, somewhere “that’s right for me.”

The Minneapolis-based studio group led by Steven Greenberg crafted the song around that universal longing for change. Cynthia Johnson’s sleek, commanding vocals made every line sparkle with optimism, while the track’s futuristic production hinted at the synth-driven pop of the ’80s that was waiting just around the corner. “Funkytown” was the sound of disco evolving in real time.

The song became a global phenomenon, topping charts in more than a dozen countries. But just like the fictional city it celebrated, Lipps Inc.’s moment in the spotlight was fleeting. After “Funkytown,” the group never recaptured that magic—but their hit remains a permanent fixture on dance playlists worldwide, an eternal passport to the dance floor.